Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral treatment originally developed by Marsha Linehan to treat borderline personality disorder, though it is now applied to various forms of emotional dysregulation. The core "dialectic" involves finding a balance between two seemingly opposite concepts: acceptance (validated through mindfulness) and change (achieved through behavioral modification). It is structured around four pillars of skill-building: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.